9,16-dihalo steroids of the androstane series



9,16-DIHALO STEROIDS OF THE ANDROSTANE SERIES Josef Fried, Princeton, and Gordon H. Thomas, New Brunswick, N.J., assignors to Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of V11- ginia No Drawing. Application November 25, 1957 Serial No. 698,321

'13 Claims. (Cl. 260-397.3)

This application is a continuation-in-part of our parent application, Serial No. 638,674, filed February 7, 1957, now U.S. Patent No. 2,857,403, granted October 21, 1958.

This invention relates to, and has for its object the provision of, a method of preparing 9,16-dihalo steroids of the androstane (including the androstene) series and to the physiologically active steroids produced thereby.

The compounds of this invention are prepared by sulfonating a 9a-ha1o-11-fi-hydroxy (or 11-ket0)-16u-hydroxyandrostenedione (which can be prepared as disclosed in the U.S. application of Thomas et aL, Serial No. 693,039, filed October 29, 1957, now Patent No. 2,853,502, granted September 23, 1958), reacting the l6m-sulfonyloxy derivative formed with an alkali metal halide or alkaline earth metal halide to yield the corresponding 16-halo derivative, and, if desired, either reducing the 17-keto group to a 17-hydroxy grouping or treating with a Grignard reagent to yield the corresponding 17a-substituted-17B-hydroxy derivative. Furthermore the 17-hydroxy derivatives can be acylated to yield a 17- acyloxy derivative as the final product.

The compounds of this invention may be represented by the general formula:

wherein individually R is hydroxy or acyloxy, R is hydrogen or together R and R is keto, R" is hydrogen, R" is fl-hydroxy, or together R" and R' is keto, X is halo (which may be in either the alpha or beta position) and X is halo (preferably fluoro) To prepare the compounds of this invention a 9a-halo- 11 e-hydroxy (or 1l-keto)-16u-hydroxyandrostene is treated with an organic sulfonating agent such as a lower alkane sulfonyl halide (e.g., mesyl chloride) or a monocyclic aromatic sulfonyl halide (e.g., tosyl chloride). This reaction is preferably conducted in the cold in the presence of organic base, such as pyridine. The reaction results in the formation of the new sulfonic acid esters of 9a-halo-1 1 B-hydroxy (or 1 l-keto) -16a-hydroxyandrostenes of this invention.

Among the suitable starting materials for this reaction may be mentioned the 9oc-halO-l1B,16oc-dihydI'0Xy- '2 androstenediones (e.g. 9a-fluoro-A -androstene-11,3, 16adiol -3,17-dione and 9a-ch1oro-A -androstene-1118,16a-dio1- 3,17-dione) and the 9a-halo-16a-hydroxyandrostenetriones (e.g. 9a-fluoro-A -androstene-16u-ol-3,11,17-trione and 9.o-chloro-A -androstene 16a-ol-3,-1 1,17-trione) The sulfonic acid esters formed are then reacted with an alkali metal halide (e. g., potassium fluoride, potassium hydrofiuoride, lithium bromide and sodium iodide) or an alkaline earth metal halide (e.g., calcium chloride) to yield a 16-haloandrostene derivative, wherein the halide corresponds to the halogen ion of the inorganic reactant. The reaction is preferably conducted under substantially anhydrous conditions at an elevated temperature.

To form the 16-halo-17-hydroxy steroids of this invention, the 17-keto group is reduced. The reduction may be accomplished by treating with a borohydride (e.g. sodium borohydride). If an ll-keto steroid is employed as a reactant in this reduction, the ll-keto group is also reduced to the llp-hydroxy derivative. To form, therefor, an 1l-keto-l7B-hydroxy derivative, the -175- dihydroxy steroid is esterified, in the usual manner, as by treatment with an acyl halide or acid anhydride of any desired acid to protect the 17,8-hydroxyl group and the lle-hydroxy group is then oxidized, as by treatment with chromium trioxide in aqueous sulfuric acid in a solvent such as acetone, to the desired ll-keto analogue. The 17B-acyloxy group can then be hydrolyzed to the free 17fi-hydroxy compound in the usual manner, as by treatment with an alkali metal hydroxide, such as potassium hydroxide, in an organic solvent such as methanol.

Among the suitable agents which can be used are the acyl chlorides and acid anhydrides of hydrocarbon carboxylic acids having less than ten carbon atoms, as exemplified by the lower alkanoic acids (e.g. acetic and propionic acid), the monocyclic aromatic carboxylic acids (e.g. benzoic and toluic acid), the monocyclic aralkanoic acids (e.g. phenacetic and B-phenylpropionic acid), the lower alkenoic acids, the cycloalkane carboxylic acids, and the cycloalkene carboxylic acids. The acylation step is preferably conducted in the presence of an organic base, such as pyridine.

This series of steps can be represented by the following schematic analysis, using 9a-flll0IO-l1,8,16a-dil1Ydl'0XY- androstenedione as the starting material:

The compounds of this invention are physiologically active substances which possess androgenic activity. Thus, the compounds of this invention can be used in "lieu of known androgenic steroids, such as testosterone and methyltestosterone, in the treatment of menopausal disorders, being formulated for such administration in the same type of preparations as testosterone, for example, with concentration and/ or dosage based on the activity of the particular compound.

The following examples illustrate the invention (all temperatures being in centigrade):

EXAMPLE 1 9a-fluoro-A -androstene 1600,1113 diol 3,17 dione 16ozmesylate (I) A solution of 3 g. of 9u-fluoro-11/3,16a-dihydroxyandrostene-dione and 3 m1. methanesulfonyl chloride in 30 of pyridine is allowed to stand at for 18 hours. The mixture is then diluted with water, the precipitated solid [about 3.18 g., M.P. about 215-224 (dec.)] collected and washed well with water. Crystallization from chloroform-methanol gives the pure 16a-mesylate, M.P. about 232234 (dec.); [al +134.6 (c., 0.98 in CHCl xgg- 237 III/.L (e=18,100) my 3.02, 557, 6.06, 7.33,.

Analysis.Calcd. for CzoHgqOsFS (408.43): C, 57.95; H, 6.57; F, 4.58; S, 7.74. Found: C, 57.35; H, 6.64; F, 4.63; S, 7.79.

Similarly, by substituting 9oz-chloro-l1B-16a-dihydroxyandrostenedione, 9a fluoro-l6a-hydroxyandrostenetrione (i.e., 9a-fluoro-A -androstene-16a-ol-3,11,17atrione), and 9u-chloro-16a-hydroxyandrostenetrione for the 9oc-fl11010- 11p,16a-dihydroxyandrostenedione in the procedure of Example 1, the corresponding 16a-mesylates are formed, respectively.

EXAMPLE 2 A stirred solution of 3 g. of 9a-fiuoro-A -androstene- 11fi,l6a-diol-3,l7-dione lct-mesylate, and 2.3 g. of anhydrous potassium fluoride in 60 ml. of diethylene glycol is heated at 110 for 18 hours. The mixture is then diluted with water and extracted with chloroform, the chloroform extract then being washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. The resultant gum is dissolved in ml. of benzene and absorbed on 30g. of acid-washed alumina. Elution with chloroformbenzene (1:4), followed by crystallization from acetonehexane, gives 9a,16,8-difluoroandrostene-11B-ol-3,17-dione. Elution with chloroform-benzene (1:1), followed by crystallization from acetone-hexane gives 9a,16u-difiuoroandrostene-l 1 63-01-3, 17-dione.

4 EXAMPLE 3 9a-fluor0 1619 chloro A androstelne 11 8 0l-3,17- dione (IV) A solution of 200 mg. of 9a-fluoro-A -androstene41 3, 16a-diol-3,17-dione 16u-mesylate and 400 mg. of calcium chloride in 10 ml. of absolute alcohol is heated under reflux for 3 days. Water is added and the steroids extracted with chloroform, the chloroform solution then being washed with Water, dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent removed in vacuo. The residue is dissolved in 2 ml. of benzene and absorbed on 5 g. of acid-washed alumina. Elution with chloroform in benzene (1:9, 250 ml; 1:4, 350 ml.) followed by crystallization from acetone-hexane yields about 37 mg. of the 16B-chloro compound M.P. about 263-266 (dec.); [001 +170 (c., 0.94 in CHCl) A311; 237 my (e=l7,200); NLSQ 2.86, 5.72, 6.00, 6.17

Analysis.Calcd. for C H O ClF (354.84): Cl, 9.99; F, 5.35. Found: Cl. 9.74; F, 5.09.

Similarly, by substituting (a) 9a-ch1oro-16a-hydroxyandrostenetrione 16-mesylate, (b) 9oc-flllOI'O-16oc-llY- droxy-androstenetrione 16a-mesylate, and (c) 9a-chloro- 115, 16adihydroxyandrostenedione 16a-mesylate for the 9oz-flt101'0 11B 160a 'dihydroxyandrostenedione 16amesylate in the procedures of Examples 2 and 3, there are obtained, respectively: (a) 9a-chloro-l6wfluoroandrostenetrione, 9a-chloro-16B-fluoroandrostenetrione, and 9a,16,8-dichloroandrostenetrione; (b) 9a,16m-difluoroandrostenetrione, 9a,16,8difluoroandrostenetrione, 9afluoro-l6,8-chloroandrostenetrione; and (c) 9ozClllO1O-16ozfluoro-l 1 (i-hydroxyandrostenedione, 9a-chloro-16B-fluoro- 1 1B-hydroxyandrostenedione, and 9u,16fidichloro-1 1,3- tavdroxyandrostenedione.

EXAMPLE 4 9a-16 3-diflu0r0-l 1 B-hydroxytestosterone VI A solution of 50 mg. of 9a-16fi-difluoro-A -androstene- 11,8-o1-3,17-dione in 10 ml. of methanol is stirred with 9 mg. of sodium borohydride for one hour at 0. After acidification to pH 6 with 10% acetic acid, the reaction is diluted with water and the steroids extracted with chloroform. The chloroform extract is Washed well with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. Crystallization of the residual solid gives pure ,16fl-diflllOIO-1 1 fi-hydroxytestosterone.

EXAMPLE 5 9a,16oc-diflu0r0-Z lfi-hydroxytestosterone (V) Following the procedure of Example 4, but substituting 50 mg. of 9a,16a-difluoro-A -androstene-11,B-ol-3,17-dione for the 16,8-fluoro derivative, there is obtained pure 90c, -/-7-difluoro-1 1 fl-hydroxytestosterone.

EXAMPLE 6 Qa-fluoro-lfifi-chloro-l113-hydroxytestosterone (VII) To a solution of mg. of l6 8-chloro-9a-fluoro-A androstene-l1,B-ol-3,17-dione in 20 ml. of methanol is added at 0 with stirring 18 mg. of sodium borohydride. The mixture is allowed to remain at 0 for 1 hour and is then neutralized by the addition of 10% acetic acid. Water is added and the steroids are extracted with chloroform, the chloroform extract then being washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dry ness in vacuo. The residual solid after two recrystallizations from acetone-hexane gives pure 16fi-ChlOIO-9ccfluoro-l 1 ,B-hydroxytestosterone.

Similarly, 9a-ch1oro 16a-fluoro-1lfl-hydroxyandrostenedione, 9a-ChlOIO-l6B-fl11OI'O-1 1B-hydroxyandrostenedione, and 9a,16fi-dichloro-11B-hydroxyandrostenedione are reduced to 9u-chloro-16u-fluoro-1lp-hydroxytestosterone, 9a-chloro-l6p-fluoro-lIB-hydroxytestosterone and 9oc,16fidichloro-l lfi-hydroxytestosterone, respectively.

EXAMPLE 7 9a, 1 6 oc-di fluoro-J 1,8-hydr0xytest0ster0ne I7B-acetmte (VIII) A solution of 500 mg. of 90,16ot-difl1101'0-1 lfl-hydroxytestosterone in 10 ml. of anhydrous pyridine and 3 ml. of acetic anhydride is allowed to stand at room temperature for hours. The mixture is diluted with water and the precipitated material collected, washed with water and dried in vacuo. Crystallization from acetone-hexane gives an analytical sample of 9u,16a-difluoro-llfl-hydroxytestosterone 17/3-acetate.

Similarly, 9a,16B-difiuoro-1lfl-hydroxytestosterone, 9afluoro-16fi-chloro 11B hydroxytestosterone, 9a chloro- 16u-fluoro-1lfi-hydroxytestosterone, 9a-chloro-16B-fluorollfi-hydroxytestosterone and 9a,16/3 dichloro 11,8 hydroxytestosterone can be 17,3-acetylated. Furthermore, if another acylating agent such as propionic anhydride and benzoyl chloride is substituted for the acetic anhydride in the procedure of Example 7, the corresponding 175- propionate and 17/3-benzoate derivatives are formed, respectively.

EXAMPLE 8 9a,16a-diflu0r0-1I-ketotestosterone 1 7fi-acetate (IX) To a solution of 250 mg. of 9u,16a-difluoro-11B-hydroxytestosterone 17B-acetate in 20 ml. of acetone is added with stirring chromium trioxide in 0.67 N sulfuric acid (200 mg./ml.) until a permanent brown coloration is obtained. The mixture is then stirred for one hour. Dilution with water gives 9a,l6a-difluoro-ll-ketotestosterone 17 8-acetate which is crystallized from acetonehexane to give a pure sample.

Similarly all other 17B-esters of 9a,16-dihalo-11fi-hydroxytestosterones can be oxidized to the corresponding ll-keto derivatives.

EXAMPLE 9 9a,]6a-difluoro-1l-ketottestosterone (X) To a solution of 200 mg. of 9a,l6a-difluoro-l1-ketotestosterone 17,8-acetate in 10 ml. of methanol is added, under nitrogen, 4 m1. of 2.5% potassium hydroxide solu tion, the mixture then being left at room temperature for six hours. The solution is then diluted with water and the steroids extracted with chloroform. The chloroform extract is washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness in vacuo. Crystallization of the residue from acetone-hexane gives 9a,l6a-difluoro- 'll-ketotestosterone.

Similarly all other 17,8-esters of 9a,16-dihalo-l1-ketotestosterones can be hydrolyzed to the free l7-hydroxyl derivatives.

The invention may be otherwise variously embodied within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A steroid of the general formula wherein individually R is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy and the acyloxy radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid having less than ten carbon atoms and R is hydrogen and together R and R is keto, individually R is hydrogen, R is B-hydroxy, and together R and R' is keto, and X and X are halo.

2. 9a, l6-dihalo-A -androstene-1 lfi-ol,-3 17-dione.

9a,16-dihalo-A -androstene-3, 1 1,17-trione. 9a,16-dihalo-1lfi-hydroxytestosterone. 9a, l6-dihalo-1 l-ketotestosterone. 9a,16a-dihalo-1lfi-hydroxytestosterone 17,8 acetate. A process for preparing a steroid of claim 1, which comprises treating a 16a-sulfonic acid ester of a steroid selected from the group consisting of 9a-halo-A -androstene-l1fl,16a-diol-3,17-dione and 9a-halo-A -androstene- 16a-ol-3,11,17-trione with a compound selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal halide and an alkaline earth metal halide.

8. A process for preparing a 9u,16dihalo1lB-hydroxytestosterone which comprises treating the corresponding l7-ketone derivative with a reducing agent.

9. 9a, 1 6a-difiuoro-A -androstene-1 l 18-01-3 l7-dione.

10. 9a,16 3-difiuoro-A -androstene-11B-ol-3,17-dione.

1 l. 9u,l6a-difluoro-1 lB-hydroxytestosterone.

12. :,160; difluoro-l lfl-hydroxytestosterone 17(3-acetate.

13. 9a,16a-difluoro-l l-ketotestosterone.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,759,929 Farrar et a1. Aug. 21, 1956 

1. A STERIOD OF THE GENERAL FORMULA 